WALES' top female soccer star Jayne Ludlow has taken a swipe at the Football Association of Wales after being named the best player in England for the second time.

WALES' top female soccer star Jayne Ludlow has taken a swipe at the Football Association of Wales after being named the best player in England for the second time.

Arsenal midfielder Ludlow collected the Nationwide Players' Player of the Year at London's Marriott Hotel for the second time in three years, completing a Gunners double after Thierry Henry picked up the men's equivalent award.

But the 24-year-old's accolade is an ironic twist following the FAW's decision to dump their women's international team.

Rhondda product Ludlow said, "It was a bit of a shock, but it's very nice to be appreciated. It means a lot that it comes from fellow players and not just voted for by managers.

"It hasn't been the best of seasons at Arsenal. We got to the semi-finals in Europe and the League Cup final, but we struggled in the league.

"We finished third, but it was disappointing by our high standards as we are used to picking up trophies.

"So this award has come as a nice ending to the season."

Ludlow, a former Welsh international triple-jumper and Arsenal's leading goal scorer with 31 in all competitions last season, is now facing an uncertain future on the international front after the FAW withdrew their support to throw their money at the men's set-up.

The FAW were handed a fine of 50,000 Swiss francs, around &#xA3;23,000, for pulling the team out of the 2003-05 qualifiers for major championships after the draw was made.

Ludlow said, "The future is all over the shop. I think it's great that for the first time in years Wales might qualify for a major championship, but is seems to be at the expense of the women's team.

"We are going backwards in all other aspects.

"I just can't understand the decision of the FAW. They must be making quite a bit of money now with all this success.

"And I can't understand why they have scrapped the women's senior team but kept the under-19s. It doesn't make sense as there is nothing to aim for then.

"If I was an 18-year-old playing now, I wouldn't bother because you can't go forward.

"I play with girls who go off to play for England and Ireland and I haven't got that anymore. There's is no motivation to be fitter or better than we are at club level.

"I think it will affect players mentally as well.

"Things might be sorted out in a few years' time but for a lot of players it will be too late by then - their careers will be over."

Slough-based Ludlow is unable to follow in the footsteps of Wales manager Sian Williams, who opted for England when there was no Welsh equivalent, as she has already represented Wales in a major championship.

But Ludlow admits her heart would not be in it anyway.

"My heart is still in Wales and I want to play for my country," she said. "I do not have the heart to pull on an English shirt.

"I want to play international football, but I just have to focus on my club career at the moment.

"We have to get back to winning ways in the league and the league cup.

"We aren't in Europe this year as only the winner of the league gets a place, so that is big aim for us next season."